1. Describe the differences between specific phobias, social phobias, and agoraphobia.
Those with specific phobias possess almost irrational levels of fear aimed towards specific objects or situations. Arachnophobia, for instance, refers to a great fear of spiders; and acrophobia refers to a similar fear to heights. Phobias often do possess a large-scale impact on one's quotidian agenda, which is usually exemplified through avoidance behaviour and terrified reactions towards the object that he or she fears.
Social phobias, on the other hand, refer to a certain type of specific phobia – those that induce extreme degrees of anxiety towards social situations and others' judgments of oneself. Such a disorder is also characterised by avoidance behaviour and other methods of conduct that affect one's daily schedule, exploits, and choices.
Finally, agoraphobia is another type of specific phobia, one that is often associated with panic disorder. Agoraphobia refers to one's fear of places where immediate escape is difficult, dangerous, or impossible. Such anxiety is motivated by the fact that panic disorder induces an irrational sense of fear towards the unpredictability of panic attacks, and because an attack is physically compromising, a place where an immediate getaway is difficult engenders great fear.
2. What symptoms do children with generalized anxiety disorder have?
Children with generalised anxiety disorder often exhibit similar symptoms and tendencies to those shown in adolescents and adults with GAD. However, seeing that a child's role in society generally differs to those of adolescents and adults, the consequences that children with GAD undergo are quite different. Constantly excessive levels of anxiety prevent the proper growth of social skills required for school success, and such lack of social skills effectuate poor-quality academic activity. Despite this, the child's anxiety also spurs on a sense of agitation towards negative assessments and evaluations, but ineptness in discussion and conversation mostly prevent the student from rectifying the error. Children can also perspire profusely and throw frequent tantrums due to recurrent despair.
3. Why is it difficult for individuals with panic disorder to get a correct diagnosis?
Individuals with panic disorder often exhibit symptoms that are also common in certain potentially life-threatening conditions, among them heart disease, thyroid problems, and breathing disorders. Therefore, such people visit their doctors frequently, often overly concerned that they sport some deadly illness when instead they possess a comparatively simpler disorder. Such problems can last months, which obviously slows down the entire diagnosis process.
4. Describe the methods used to treat anxiety disorders.
Anxiety disorders may be able to be treated through psychosocial treatments, among which are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, anxiety management and relaxation therapies, and psychotherapy. Furthermore, a variety of drugs, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines, beta blockers, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), may also be used to treat anxiety disorders.
Those with specific phobias possess almost irrational levels of fear aimed towards specific objects or situations. Arachnophobia, for instance, refers to a great fear of spiders; and acrophobia refers to a similar fear to heights. Phobias often do possess a large-scale impact on one's quotidian agenda, which is usually exemplified through avoidance behaviour and terrified reactions towards the object that he or she fears.
Social phobias, on the other hand, refer to a certain type of specific phobia – those that induce extreme degrees of anxiety towards social situations and others' judgments of oneself. Such a disorder is also characterised by avoidance behaviour and other methods of conduct that affect one's daily schedule, exploits, and choices.
Finally, agoraphobia is another type of specific phobia, one that is often associated with panic disorder. Agoraphobia refers to one's fear of places where immediate escape is difficult, dangerous, or impossible. Such anxiety is motivated by the fact that panic disorder induces an irrational sense of fear towards the unpredictability of panic attacks, and because an attack is physically compromising, a place where an immediate getaway is difficult engenders great fear.
2. What symptoms do children with generalized anxiety disorder have?
Children with generalised anxiety disorder often exhibit similar symptoms and tendencies to those shown in adolescents and adults with GAD. However, seeing that a child's role in society generally differs to those of adolescents and adults, the consequences that children with GAD undergo are quite different. Constantly excessive levels of anxiety prevent the proper growth of social skills required for school success, and such lack of social skills effectuate poor-quality academic activity. Despite this, the child's anxiety also spurs on a sense of agitation towards negative assessments and evaluations, but ineptness in discussion and conversation mostly prevent the student from rectifying the error. Children can also perspire profusely and throw frequent tantrums due to recurrent despair.
3. Why is it difficult for individuals with panic disorder to get a correct diagnosis?
Individuals with panic disorder often exhibit symptoms that are also common in certain potentially life-threatening conditions, among them heart disease, thyroid problems, and breathing disorders. Therefore, such people visit their doctors frequently, often overly concerned that they sport some deadly illness when instead they possess a comparatively simpler disorder. Such problems can last months, which obviously slows down the entire diagnosis process.
4. Describe the methods used to treat anxiety disorders.
Anxiety disorders may be able to be treated through psychosocial treatments, among which are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, anxiety management and relaxation therapies, and psychotherapy. Furthermore, a variety of drugs, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines, beta blockers, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), may also be used to treat anxiety disorders.